Abstract

IciA protein has been shown as an inhibitor for the initiation of E. coli chromosomal DNA replication at oriC. IciA protein binds the AT-rich region in oriC and then blocks the initiation of chromosomal DNA replication. Two binding sites for IciA protein were identified in dnaA gene, encoding the initiator for the E. coli chromosomal replication, promoter region by gel-shift assay and DNase I footprinting, One, named as IciA site I, is located upstream of the dnaA promoter 1P. The other, named as IciA site II, is located downstream of the dnaA promoter 2P. The sequence comparison of the regions protected from the DNase I cleavage did not result in a clear consensus sequence for the binding of IciA protein, suggesting that IciA protein may be a member of multimeric complex dsDNA binding proteins. This study provided information about the binding mode of IciA protein. Even though the IciA site II and IciA binding site in oriC seem to be composed of two IciA binding units, one binding unit is likely enough to cause the binding of IciA protein to the IciA site I. The binding of IciA protein to the dna4 promoter implies that IciA protein may involve not only the control of the initiation of chromosomal DNA replication but also the control of the dna4 gene expression.

• Keywords: IciA protein; dnaA; DNA binding proteins